A former Saturday Night Live cast member is speaking out about her decades-long fallout with SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels. It all stems from her decision to boycott a 1990 episode, leading to Michaels taking some "petty" revenge.
Nora Dunn starred on Saturday Night Live for five seasons. But her tenure ended prematurely after she boycotted a 1990 episode hosted by Andrew Dice Clay. The controversial comedian's material often took aim at women and minority groups.
Musical guest Sinead O'Connor joined Dunn in sitting out the season 15 show. Michaels was reportedly very upset with the decision, chose not to renew Dunn's contract, and never let it go.
In an interview with Cracked, Dunn revealed she sent Michaels flowers ahead of season 16. The gesture was something of an olive branch, with Dunn making a joke about not appearing much in the season. But Michaels gave her the cold shoulder and did not respond.
The pettiness continued, according to Dunn. She shared her experience working on the 2012 movie The Guilt Trip:
"[Lorne Michaels] was the producer on a Seth Rogen movie, and I got word that, 'Lorne wants you to do it, but he only wants to pay you $2,500.' And, for the size of the role, it should have been like $25,000. I did it, but it was one of those things like, that’s his little message: 'You’re going to come in and work for me for scale.' I also noticed in the credits that I was put last, after every character that could have been a walk-on, and I had a pretty long scene too. That’s the kind of thing that I suspect Lorne of."
Nora Dunn had an awkward encounter with Lorne Michaels at SNL50
It's been over 30 years since Nora Dunn boycotted a Saturday Night Live episode. Even the joyous atmosphere of SNL's 50th anniversary wasn't enough to leave the controversy in the past.
Dunn reflected on her experience at the star-studded event earlier this year. According to the ex-cast member, she wasn't asked to participate in any sketches. She also found it interesting the seating chart had her in the last row. As if that wasn't enough, a montage of the year Dunn was on SNL omitted her.
Still, Dunn tried to stay in the moment when she found herself face-to-face with Michaels at the event. Her former boss wasn't having it, however.
"I shouldn't be saying this, but what the f***," Dunn said. " I went on the floor afterwards and I ended up standing next to Marty Short watching Paul McCartney sing, and when he finished, we looked at each other and we had tears in our eyes. Then I turned and there’s Lorne standing there. I hadn’t talked to him in years. I went up, and I said, 'Lorne Michaels' and hugged him and I said, 'Fifty years, good work.' He just said, 'Yeah,' and he walked away. I went, 'Now that’s a petty man.'
Dunn last appeared on Saturday Night Live in 2013. She made a cameo alongside other famous female cast members for a Real Housewives parody. It sounds as if it was the last time she spoke to Michaels. But after this interview, it's hard to imagine Michaels giving Dunn call.